So just who is John Juanda, who this week earned almost $2 million for winning the Main Event at the second annual World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in London, England?

For one thing, he’s the most famous person in years to win a WSOP or WSOPE Main Event.

Unknowns like Chris Moneymaker or Greg “Fossilman” Raymer who win a Main Event become instantly famous after winning it.

Juanda, however, was well-known before he won it, due to his past tournament success at the WSOP and, more importantly, the television exposure he’s received for years playing in televised poker tournaments on ESPN and other channels.

Before winning the 2008 WSOPE Main Event–a no-limit Texas hold ‘em tourney–and the championship gold bracelet that goes with the victory, Juanda had earned three championship gold bracelets from winning WSOP tournaments: a pot-limit Omaha tourney in 2003, a limit seven-card stud tourney in 2003 and a limit triple draw tourney in 2002.

According to tournament records, he has now won just over $8.2 million lifetime playing in poker tournaments.

Besides his victories in an WSOPE event and three WSOP events, he also won the 2006 Crown Australian Poker Championship, as well as numerous World Poker Tour (WPT) events. In addition, he has finished in the money in 40 other WSOP events over the years, plus a WSOPE event last year.

He has also finished in the money in more than 100 other tourneys.

Born in Indonesia 37 years ago, Juanda, who is ethnically Chinese, emigrated to the USA as a teen in 1990.

He graduated from Oklahoma State University and then earned an MBA from the University of Seattle.

He is now an American citizen.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)